River Valley

Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board (ACCB) for a Full Moon Snowshoe Hike Friday, January 2, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. The hike will take place in the Fish Farm Mounds State Preserve and will be approximately two miles. Participants should meet at the Fish Farm Mounds parking area approximately three miles south of New Albin on the Great River Road.

The Full Moon Snowshoe will be a guided trail hike taking place after dark to enable the participants to see the stars and full moon like they have never seen before. The event requires preregistration for those wishing to use snowshoes provided by the ACCB and is open to all ages. However, anyone under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. In the case of inclement weather or poor snow conditions, the Full Moon Snowshoe may be postponed or canceled and will be announced via the ACCB’s Facebook page.

The Light The Way Committee, the group of volunteers organizing the lighting of the new bridge spanning the Mississippi River at Lansing, has so far raised $105,000 of its $170,000 goal to pay for the 24 LED lights that will be placed on the south-facing panel points of the new bridge and four LED lights lighting up the two main pillars. Since these lights were not part of the Iowa or Wisconsin Departments of Transportation responsibility when the project started, the Committee needs the help of the public to reach its fundraising goal.

The fundraising campaign will end December 31, 2026. Those interested are encouraged to make their 2025 tax deductible donation to Light The Way, P.O. Box 145, Lansing, IA 52151. Also, interested individuals can visit the project’s website at lansingiowa.com/blackhawkbridgelights to make a donation or print off a donor form.

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, December 15, with Mayor Mike Verdon and council members present, establishing a quorum. The agenda combined routine financial approvals with several policy questions: a citizen request for utility relief, long-range hazard mitigation planning, winter recreation and sidewalk maintenance, final payment on a major street project, and detailed operational updates from city departments and the public library.

Area students were recently honored by Lansing Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #5981 and the Auxiliaries of Lansing VFW Post #5981 and New Albin VFW Post #5603 for their efforts in participating in the respective youth essay contests sponsored by those organizations for their age groups. Top entries in the Elementary School Essay Contest, Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Contest and Voice of Democracy Essay Contest were recognized, with photos of those students and some of their winning essays accompanying this article.

To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, December 17, 2025 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.

Main Street Lansing recently welcomed Renewed Vitality, a new holistic wellness practice founded by Kelsey Meyer, to downtown Lansing. Located at 20 North 2nd Street, Renewed Vitality brings personalized wellness services, whole-person care, and accessible therapeutic offerings to the heart of the Lansing community.

Meyer, a lifelong local with deep roots in both Lansing and New Albin, shares that her journey toward wellness began early. “I grew up in New Albin, and when you’re from either Lansing or New Albin, you spend a lot of time in both towns,” she said. “Living in a close-knit community and watching my mom care for others as a nurse shaped who I am today. It taught me the importance of connection, compassion, and whole-person care.”

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday, December 1 with Mayor Mike Verdon and all council members present. The council addressed a full agenda focused on utility finances, infrastructure close-outs, bond documentation, and liability housekeeping related to the transition of City Hall into the former Lansing Middle School building at 696 Main Street, a change that was planned to be completed Friday, December 5.

A Community Resource Fair is coming to Allamakee County, scheduled for this Sunday, December 7 at the Northeast Iowa Wellness & Recreation Center in Postville, from 1-4:30 p.m. The event will bring together nonprofit organizations, government services, and community partners who support northeast Iowans with vital resources.

FEATURED SPEAKER
Organizers of the event are especially pleased to welcome Sarah Murray of Lansing, founder of “Hope is a Strategy” who has an incredible and inspiring story. After a fall left her a quadriplegic, she chose to use her experience to uplift and motivate others. Her message is powerful, hopeful, and truly encouraging. She’ll be speaking at 2 p.m., and everyone is encouraged to attend.

The community of Lansing has a pair of ongoing promotional events taking place as the holiday rolls on. Now through December 20, area residents and visitors can join in the promotional activities described below:
• Lansing Elf Scavenger Hunt - There are 20 elves hidden in local businesses, each with a holiday movie clue. Participants can find them all and match each movie title with the correct Elf business location as they explore downtown Lansing. Forms to be used for the Scavenger Hunt can be picked up at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library or scan the QR code above to complete and submit the form. Return the completed print form by December 21 to the library or Main Street Lansing’s drop box at The Works for prizes and a chance to win $100 in Downtown Dollars.

The community of Harpers Ferry will be hosting a variety of holiday events as the month of December rolls on. Area residents and visitors can take in some of that holiday spirit at the following events:

by Joshua Sharpe

The Lansing City Council met in regular session with all in attendance Monday, November 17 to address a full slate of agenda items. The council approved the awarding and scheduling of the 2025 bond issue, renewal of health insurance coverage, the sale of surplus equipment, and steps toward addressing well and pumping system concerns, in addition to hearing a detailed Main Street Lansing report.